DICKINSON — Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill, a five-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist who has enjoyed remarkable success at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, will be the guest of honor at the Final Bell Boxing event on June 1.
Hill, a well-known boxer from North Dakota, won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and turned professional the same year. He won the WBA light heavyweight title in 1987 and defended it 10 times until 1991.
Hill regained the title in 1992, then moved to the cruiserweight division to win the WBA title in 1996. He competed until his retirement in 2007, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.
The retired boxer spoke about what it means to be invited to the event, saying, “Any time I'm invited to a boxing match from the state of North Dakota, I'm very proud and happy that they're trying to do boxing and promote boxing in the state.”
The retired boxer's final visit to the Peace Garden State was in October 2023 when he received the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award.
Hill considers himself lucky to have had the entire state of North Dakota support him during his boxing career. “I was very lucky. It's rare to have 750,000 people supporting you. That was the whole state of North Dakota when I was boxing,” Hill said, firmly believing that this kind of statewide support is still possible for kids trying to make a career in any sport.
“In general, kids in North Dakota work hard in any sport, so we don't need to tell them to try harder,” Hill said. “Just braving the snow and cold in the winter and running outside is an accomplishment in itself. But kids have to set goals, be steadfast and believe in the process that's necessary, and they'll achieve their goals.”
Josiah C. Cuellar / Dickinson Press
Fabiola Alvarez, the promoter behind the event, hopes Hill's inclusion will draw in longtime supporters and inspire a new generation of fans: “We're happy he's going to be there. Everything's coming together. The boxing world is crucial and this will definitely be a great inspiration for the younger generation.”
Alvarez contacted Hill, and after some anxious waiting, he agreed to participate. “We were ecstatic and excited when he finally agreed,” she said.
As the event draws closer, Alvarez and her team are feeling excited. “We're ready, it's just a matter of getting the community involved. Even if the turnout is low, we'll be proud of what we accomplished,” she said.
Alvarez expressed his welcome, saying, “Even if you're not familiar with the sport, please come and support local sportsmanship and learn about boxing. Everyone is welcome.”
Hill hopes there will be more events like this in North Dakota to inspire people to believe in their own potential. “North Dakotans should not think, 'We're too small to do much,'” he said.
He added that the best way to pave the way for young people is through active support and called for support across the state: “I hope that people across the state will step up to support these kids. It's so important that they're there. Support them, help them, because it's a tough job. Without support it's even harder. But it can be done. I'm proof.”
Event Details and Logistics
The Final Bell boxing event will be held at the West River Ice Center, located at 1865 Empire Road, Dickinson, ND 58601.
Tickets are $15 and will be sold at the door. Children under 10 are admitted free.
Doors will open at 5pm and the main event is scheduled to begin at 6pm.
Fabiola Alvarez was instrumental in planning and making this event a reality. For more information, please contact thefinalbellpromotions@gmail.com.
The event is overseen by Hipolito Pruneda, who is following strict USA Boxing guidelines to ensure all bouts are fair and safe.
Manny is a journalist with a diverse background in communications. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned his degree in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before moving to New York City, where he worked as a reporter for ethnic media outlets, covering local issues and immigration news. Long dedicated to sensitive reporting, Manny's journalistic background has led him to Dickinson, where he takes on the role of hard news reporter.
